GROHE highlights water scarcity and champions change in latest panel

In February, at GROHE’s newly opened London Specification Hub in the Business Design Centre, Islington, design journalist Elspeth Pridham chaired a thought-provoking panel discussion alongside three design experts: Patrick Speck, LIXIL‘s Global Design Lead; Wan-Sheong Yau, Architect at Studio Moren; and Hayley Roy, Commercial Interior Designer at Harp Design. The topic – can the enjoyment of water ever be truly sustainable?

(L-R): Elspeth Pridham, Hayley Roy, Wan-Sheong Yau, and Patrick Speck.

For GROHE, sustainability is more than just a goal – it is a responsibility and part of the brand DNA. By engaging industry leaders and decision makers in thoughtful discussions around sustainability and water scarcity, GROHE seeks to encourage conscious specification and lead by example to champion change.

Kicking off the discussion with what the ‘enjoyment of water’ really means, the conversation quickly identified that true water enjoyment is a luxury which is typically seen in commercial settings such as hotels, spas, and gyms. In these locations, customers seek an out-of-home experience where water is out the centre.

Hayley Roy initiated the discussion noting “The true enjoyment of water is a luxury, and we often take advantage of that luxury when we’re not at home. There’s an underlying mindset that in commercial settings such as hotels conscious water usage isn’t a priority as you’re not paying the bill. It’s been found that on average a hotel has 3 times the water usage than that seen in a domestic setting, with the majority of usage coming from guest rooms.”

Wan-Sheong Yau added to the discussion highlighting the enjoyment of water has a lot to do with location and accessibility: “A luxurious multi-spray shower in a hotel room is often considered a standard essential, however if you take even the most basic of showers and place them in a first-class lounge on an aeroplane then that shower becomes a new level of privilege and luxury, with true enjoyment.”

Image caption: GROHE rainshower | Image credit: GROHE

The panel also explored the wider industry shift towards circularity and need for greener specification – from sustainable material choices to waste reduction in the manufacturing industry.

Patrick Speck emphasised the need of innovation continuity and enhanced education when it comes to resource-saving products. “Sustainability and having luxury should not be seen as mutually exclusive. There are now many products available that enhance daily routines while minimising their environmental impact. Features like our SilkMove ES technology, which reduces unnecessary energy use, and our water-recycling shower concept, Everstream, are proof that innovation can drive real change. We’re continuing to drive education and fight the common misconception that low-flow showers and bathroom fittings provide a sub-standard experience. Users can have it all with a luxurious experience that also helps to save water, and we see it as our job to drive this change in mindset.”

Hayley continued, “as an industry, we need to come together to drive change as water scarcity is a real issue and one that will only continue unless we act now. Any designer or architect specifying any project has a responsibility to act and encourage conscious water consumption. Our resources are dwindling now; however, it’s been projected that we’ll need 20% more water by 2050.”

Wan-Sheong added to the point: “the key solution here is education and subtle messaging that doesn’t feel like we’re preaching or greenwashing. We all want the same from our bathrooms which is an enjoyable experience that is somewhat ‘guilt free’. We need to bridge the gap between end-customers and specifiers ensuring the experience is being delivered but so is sustainable functionality.”

Elspeth Pridham rounded off the discussion by exploring what the bathroom of the future looks like and how water scarcity will play a part in the future of design.

Commenting on product design and manufacturing, Patrick noted that “innovations such as water and heat recirculating showers will become more common and hopefully widely understood and accepted. Similarly, 3D printed products and materials will also become more readily available. 3D printing provides great opportunity for resource-savings with products made to exact measurements with little to no waste, while logistical emissions are also saved with 3D files shared digitally rather than products being transported.”

On hotel bathroom design and customer experience Hayley stated: “We can expect big changes in the way that customers experience water in the future. Water is becoming a rarity and a luxury, and that will be considered in hotels, particularly in affordable accommodation. I expect water usage will one day be limited, potentially even with AI timing showers and tracking individual customer usage. We may also see a rise in shower-only hotels that do not have any baths or pools to prevent excessive water need.”

Image credit: GROHE Spa

Wan-Sheong added “I think the way in which we use water will change greatly, with alternatives to what we know today becoming the new norm. From cleansing with UV instead of water, to shared public showers and bathing facilities to save on domestic need and usage. The way in that we consume water at the current rate cannot continue, therefore innovations and our habits will need to find viable solutions.”

On the successful panel and insightful discussion, Louis Pullen, Leader A&D UK, GROHE LIXIL said: “We organised this panel to engage in thoughtful discussions with our industry peers and highlight the continued need for collaboration and a joint effort to encourage positive change and conscious consumption of our natural resources. We’re delighted to have been joined by such experienced panellist and look forward to bringing together another panel discussion soon.”

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Main image credit: GROHE